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en-usAnything and everything about the Georgia Southern Eagles, Tennessee Volunteers, and anything else I can get my hands, TV, Radio , or internet on.Tue, 31 Mar 2015 16:43:56 ESTEagle Creek : CBSSports.com Blogshttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13842809/18542923?source=rss_blogs_NCAAF#commentsNCAAFhttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13842809/18542923?source=rss_blogs_NCAAF
My time in college has been marked by hardships for my favorite football teams. The Tennessee football team is up and down, while the Georgia Southern team is just down. However, this past Saturday offered a clear, concise view of the difference in the two programs. I'll start with Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt. <p></p> Coming off an awful campaign last year following the awful hire of Dave Clawson, the Tennessee Vols were picked to finish no higher than 4th or 5th in the SEC East, and were ruled out of bowl contention almost from the get-go. The early season had its ups and downs, and, coming off of the blowout loss to Ole Miss, Tennessee needed a win to become bowl-eligible. The hire of Lane Kiffin was maligned as a rushed decision, just a symptom of the lost time Tennessee had on the recruiting trail. Many questioned his accomplishments and record as a head coach, and few believed his boasting and braying about bringing championships to KNoxville.<p></p>A Tale of Two Senior NightsThu, 26 Nov 2009 0:18:25 ESThttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13842809/18542923?source=rss_blogs_NCAAFhttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13842809/14583290?source=rss_blogs_NCAAF#commentsNCAAFhttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13842809/14583290?source=rss_blogs_NCAAF
I just got in from the Orange and White game and I am pumped about next season. <p></p>The Offense (White Team) came out firing on all cylinders, with all three quarterbacks looking decent. The offense scored almost at will, with the exception of Crompton's 1st half interception. The caveat for those thinking that UT's offense has turned a corner is that Eric Berry, the most dangerous man in college football, watched the game in a jersey and sweats. The following is a position-by-position breakdown of the 2009 Orange and White Game. (Early enrollees underlined, players entering in the fall in italics) <p></p>QB: In my opinion, BJ Coleman won the quarterback competition with his performance today. He made some questionable decisions, like tucking the ball and running instead of looking downfield in the first half, but he also didn't throw a pick, like Crompton did, and like Stephens tried to do (twice). Coleman made plays with his arm, with several pinpoint throws, and his feet, evading a defender on a bootleg near the endzone and rifling the ball to an open in the corner of the endzone. He underthrew a few balls, but he handled himself very well, bouncing back to complete passes. Nick Stephens was the wild card, appearing poised and accurate at times, but holding on to the ball too long, taking sacks, and making poor throws at others. I think the position is a push, but I give Coleman the edge based on his performance today. Projected Starter: Coleman Back-up: Stephens, Crompton Fall Surprise: Mike Rozier <p></p>Orange and White Game, UT Depth ChartSat, 18 Apr 2009 22:45:08 EDThttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13842809/14583290?source=rss_blogs_NCAAFhttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13842809/14438680?source=rss_blogs_General#commentsGeneralhttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13842809/14438680?source=rss_blogs_General
I guess that ranking wasn't a fluke. The Eagles earned a split this week against the 8th-ranked Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech. <p></p>The first game could have gone either way, but for a misplayed flyball that might've been scored an error. Southern and Tech were knotted at 2 before Tech blew it open in the 5th. Phillip Porter, responsible for the flyball flub, responded by hittting a 2-run homer to pull the Eagles within 4, but they would come no closer to victory. Brian Pierce, more affectionately known as BP by the Eagle faithful, let the way with 3 hits, and Roman Grimaldi continued his hot streak, finishing with 2 hits and a swipe of second base. <p></p> The second, however, was a nightmare for the fans in Old Gold. Georgia Southern won the game 23-3 in the most lopsided game for Georgia Southern this season, which is saying something, considering some of margins of victory this season. Ty Wright, mentioned in the previous article, went back to the lead-off spot and respond by going 4-5 with 4 runs scored and his first collegiate grand slam, highlighting a 7-run effort in the 7th frame. With the Eagles leading 11-2, this game seemed to be in the bag. However, the Eagles weren't done yet. AJ Wirnsberger hit his team-leading 6th homer in th 8th inning, and then all hell broke loose in the 9th. With Georgia Tech closer Mark Pope in for a little light work, the Eagles struck, and hard. Will Southwell, a redshirt junior not known for his offense, seems to have woken his bat up. After a home run on Saturday night, Will Southwell went 2-2, 2B, HR and 4 RBI's. In the 9th inning. Kyle 'Bear' Blackburn woke from his 1-21 hibernation at the plate to hit an RBI single, and AJ added another RBI. The Eagles actually held runners up on the basepaths, trying not to stretch the lead any more than they needed to. On a side note, a North Cobb High School class mate of mine, Sean Devine, took over for Pope and recorded the last three outs, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and striking 2 out. <p></p>Eagle BaseballThu, 09 Apr 2009 8:59:42 EDThttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13842809/14438680?source=rss_blogs_Generalhttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13842809/14405368?source=rss_blogs_General#commentsGeneralhttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13842809/14405368?source=rss_blogs_General
Well, GSU baseball is full swing, and, after a dissapointing football season and an investigation of the men's basketball program, GSU baseball is just the panacea I was looking for. <p></p>Last year, my Eagles set multiple school records, and even set an NCAA record for most home runs in a single game with 14 against Cornell last March. They finished 37th in attendance in the NCAA, also setting a school record for season attendence. But now to this season. Returning nearly everyone who mattered, the Eagles got off to the same blistering offensive pace, but something was different. <p></p>Rodney Hennon found some pitchers. <p></p>Not to say that any of out pitchers are going to win the Cy Young in the pros, but when you're scoring nearly 10 runs a game (9.9) to be exact, you don't need much in the way of pitching. But our pitching staff has responded, especially the bullpen, bolstered by the arrival of Kyle Kamppi, who moved from a starter's role last year neatly into the closer's role this year, going 2-1 witha 2.75 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings (11.44 K/9) while leading the team by converting 5 out of 5 saves (he's also in my Biology Lab). Overall the bullpen is pretty amazing, producing a 4.12 ERA en route to an 11-1 record while striking out 106 in 113 2/3 innings. But the pitching staff isn't the strength of this team. GSU Sports UpdateTue, 07 Apr 2009 9:00:37 EDThttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/13842809/14405368?source=rss_blogs_General100http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/cbsdm/spec/cbssportscom.gifhttp://ztowery.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/13842809
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